Don Cowie knows just how huge three points would be for title-chasing Ross County tonight but is wary of resurgent Falkirk.
The former Cardiff City, Wigan and Watford midfielder has noted the Bairns unbeaten start to 2019, with Ray McKinnon’s team heading north to Dingwall on the back of a run of four wins and four draws.
The Staggies would surge 11 points clear at the championship summit if they stretched their own unbeaten run to double figures with victory over relegation-threatened Falkirk.
But Cowie, who delivered a sublime cross with the outside of his foot for Brian Graham’s clinching header against Morton on Saturday, is taking nothing for granted.
The 36-year-old, who rejoined his boyhood club from Hearts in August, said: “A win would be massive for us, but it will be a difficult one against Falkirk.
“They strengthened really well in January and they’re on a good run themselves.
“But we’re at home, where we’ve been very strong this season, so it is a good opportunity to stretch the gap at the top of the league even further.
“Momentum is huge – and we’ve hopefully come through our sticky patch around the turn of the year.
“We put that behind us and responded really well, just as we have all season to poor performances or negative results. We just have to keep that going.
“But there’s plenty of points left to play for and our focus is purely on Falkirk. If we win that, we’ll re-evaluate things again from there.”
Cowie, alongside injured former Hibs defender Liam Fontaine, has just accepted the offer of a parallel under 18s coaching role with County.
But the veteran midfielder insists playing – and the chance of a Premiership return with County – remains his overwhelming focus.
Cowie, who has passed both his B and A badges, stressed: “One of the reasons I moved back north was with an eye on what I will do beyond playing, hopefully using my playing experience on the coaching side.
“It has happened maybe a wee bit earlier than planned, but when the opportunity arose I didn’t hesitate.
“Between myself and Liam, we’re really looking forward to it. We’ve plenty of experience between us and hopefully we can make it work.
“But playing is still far and away my main focus – if it wasn’t, I wouldn’t have come back to the club.
“The reason I returned to Ross County, first and foremost, was to play and try to help the club get back to the Premier League.”
